Italian PM in Iran in push to win back economic clout

Italy’s prime minister looked to restore his country’s economic clout in Iran Tuesday as he became the highest-ranking European leader to visit Tehran since its nuclear deal with world powers. Accompanied by a 250-member delegation, Matteo Renzi began a two-day trip aimed at rebuilding ties that before sanctions had seen Italy ranked as the Islamic republic’s top European trading partner. After an official welcoming ceremony, Renzi held talks with President Hassan Rouhani, who visited Rome in January days after sanctions were lifted under the nuclear accord.